Positive Ageing Progress Measured (NEW ZEALAND)

Positive ageing progress measured

1 April 2011

Press Release: New Zealand Government

Hon John Carter
Minister for Senior Citizens
1 April 2011

Positive ageing progress measured

A summary of progress on New Zealand’s Positive Ageing Strategy can now be viewed at a single online source (http://positiveageing.msd.govt.nz), Senior Citizens Minister John Carter said today.

“There are many great initiatives taking place around New Zealand to support the strategy, which aims to improve the well-being of older people, and it is important to track what is being done,” Mr Carter said.

“As Minister for Senior Citizens I have selected priorities from the strategy to focus on, including employment of mature workers, changing attitudes about ageing, and protecting the rights and interests of older people, especially in relation to elder abuse and neglect.”

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy was developed in 2001 after consultation with communities, the voluntary sector and central and local government. Its 10 goals are used by agencies to develop action plans to improve the wellbeing of older people in communities throughout New Zealand.
“Older people are an increasing proportion of our population as people live longer. This will become more evident as the first of the ‘baby boomers’ turn 65 from this year,” Mr Carter said.

“We need to plan and act now, so older New Zealanders can continue to age well. We also need to monitor our progress, so all older people in New Zealand can enjoy positive ageing.”

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy is available online at http://positiveageing.msd.govt.nz The website provides useful facts and figures that show progress against the 10 positive ageing goals.

ENDS

SOURCE:    SCOOP.CO.NZ


________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Increase in Elder Abuse Prompts Introduction of Forums (NEW ZEALAND)

Increase in elder abuse prompts introduction of forums

By Ellie Constantine

Fri, 1 Apr 2011

News: Dunedin

In another attempt to get people talking about elder abuse, Age Concern Otago has organised forums on the social problem.

Training and education co-ordinator Dawn Howe-Dennison said the forums were being held in Dunedin in response to the increasing number of abused elderly reported in the community.

Last year, 71 cases of elder abuse were reported to Age Concern Otago.

In previous years, the average has been about 50.

The weekly forums, which started last month and will continue until the end of the year, were an opportunity for the elderly and those who are in contact with them, either in a work or social environment, to "generate their collective wisdom on issues of abuse", she said.

Topics included, but were not limited to, cultural perspectives on old age, what elder abuse is and why it occurs, what to do if faced with elder abuse, types of abuse, signs and symptoms, and carer stress.

Ms Howe-Dennison hoped the forums would "play some part in helping break down barriers of reluctance to discuss such issues".

Most abuse of the elderly were inflicted by family members - 80% - and 48% by sons and daughters.

However, an increasing number of grandchildren are becoming perpetrators, she said.

Cases were not limited to physical abuse, with emotional, psychological, and the most common, financial abuse, all occurring.

For those who are being abused, or those who know a victim, Ms Howe-Dennison recommended contacting Age Concern, or in extreme cases, the police.

The Agewise public forums are held every Wednesday from 2pm-3pm at Work and Income's Community Link, corner of Castle and Andrew Sts.

For more information and to enrol, phone Ms Howe-Dennison at Age Concern on (03) 477-1040 (extension 708).

SOURCE:    The Otago Daily


________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Conservator Given Control of Mickey Rooney's Affairs (USA)

March 29, 2011

By Stephanie Sajor

A conservator was given control of Mickey Rooney's affairs when it was discovered that $400,000 of the actor's money had gone missing from his bank account, Reuters reports.

Attorney Michael Augustine said he accompanied the 90-year-old actor to the banks when they found accounts were virtually depleted of funds.

The lawyer said in court papers, according to Reuters, that Rooney was so financially impaired, he only owns one pair of shoes and often wears the same clothes. Additionally, Rooney could not buy his wife flowers for Valentine's Day because, as he said to Augustine, “I have no money.”

Rooney has accused his stepson Christopher Aber and Aber's wife of bullying, intimidation, and holding back information about his finances.

A restraining order was granted against Aber, who has denied all the allegations.

Rooney gave an emotional testimony earlier this month before the Senate advocating for victims of elder abuse, urging lawmakers to make elder abuse a crime.

SOURCE:    The Third Age.com

_________________________________________
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Non-English Speaking Australians at Higher Risk of Financial Elder Abuse, According to Study (AUSTRALIA)

29 March, 2011

 

New research reveals non-English speaking Australians are at higher risk of financial elder abuse due to their dependency on others for translation, transactions and services relating to the management of their finances. 

Diversity and financial elder abuse in Victoria is the fourth report of the Protecting Elders

Assets Study (PEAS) on financial elder abuse undertaken by Monash University and commissioned by State Trustees. 

Data was drawn from 76 survey respondents aged 65 – 100 who were surveyed on their

current and planned financial management strategies. Sixty two respondents were from nonEnglish speaking backgrounds, including Greek, Italian and Vietnamese cultures.

 

“The study found that non-English speaking participants, in particular the Italian and Vietnamese groups, relied heavily on their English-speaking children to manage their day-today financial affairs. These tasks include renting property, paying bills and engaging with

institutions such as banks, real estate agents and government departments on behalf of their parents,” State Trustees’ Managing Director Tony Fitzgerald, said.

“As was observed in previous studies with English-speaking participants, participants in this study were aware of instances of financial elder abuse, however believed it would be unlikely to happen to them. Sadly this commonly held belief among older Australians directly conflicts with past findings which suggest family members, in particular children, are the most common

perpetrators of financial elder abuse,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

 

The study also found that non-English speaking respondents were less likely to have prepared personal financial and legal documents, such as an Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial); a document that gives an individual or organisation the power to make financial and legal decisions on another person’s behalf should they become incapacitated. 

“Many older people from non-English speaking backgrounds avoid preparing an EPA because

they trust their family will know what to do in the event they lose capacity. However, they often

fail to fully appreciate the complexity of such a responsibility and the heavy burden it places on

their loved ones,” Mr Fitzgerald said.  

Mr Fitzgerald encourages older Australians to thoroughly explore their financial and legal options before making any firm decisions about the future management of their financial affairs. 

“In many cases older people are simply unaware about what services and products are available to them. If they choose to, individuals can outsource the future management of their financial affairs to a professional, helping to circumvent potential family conflict and financial mismanagement,” Mr Fitzgerald said.  

SOURCE:    State Trustees, Victoria, Australia

________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

New Hotline Launched For Victims Of Elder Abuse (CA. USA)

By Rachel Purdy, Bay City News

California seniors who are victims of domestic abuse can obtain free legal assistance through a new toll-free statewide number, officials said.

Victims over the age of 60 can call the California Senior Legal Hotline, where they will receive confidential advice on legal matters.

This program is designed to address a growing problem of domestic violence toward elderly people who experience stalking, physical or emotional abuse, threats, or neglect by a family member, spouse, partner, caregiver or cohabitant.

Callers can also be connected with local domestic violence programs so they can obtain additional support, officials said.

This hotline is possible because of a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, according to the hotline.

The problem of domestic abuse toward seniors was highlighted during a recent hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, where actor Mickey Rooney shared his story of abuse by a family member.

The hotline will be operated under the Sacramento-based nonprofit Legal Services of Northern California.

The toll-free number for seniors in need of legal guidance is (800) 222-1753. 
This is not an emergency line, and those who feel immediately threatened should dial 911, according to hotline officials.

SOURCE:   The SFAppeal.Com

_______________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Committee on Ageing Launches New Seniors Information Hub (AUSTRALIA)

RDCOTA launches new seniors information hub

By LYN UHLMANN

28 Mar, 2011

REDLANDS District Committee on the Ageing (RDCOTA) recently launched its Seniors Information Plus service.

Seniors in need of information about seniors' issues, including legal matters, elder abuse, care facilities, funeral plans, counselling or other issues, or who need help to contact or respond to a business or government department, can seek help through Seniors Information Plus.

RDCOTA president Tony Christinson said the service, which was run by trained volunteers, did not provide the actual information, but did provide comprehensive advice on where to find information and how to access it, including providing relevant forms where possible.

"Our research showed we needed an information hub like this in the Redlands," Mr Christinson said.

"There is no other face-to-face venue offering this kind of thing.

"Most places rely on telephone or Internet contact and some seniors don't cope well with that."

RDCOTA former president Ross Wiseman, who was the organisation's president when a seniors information hub concept was first proposed three years ago, agreed.

"The need for this hub arose first and foremost from the move of RDCOTA from its previous premises at the back of the (Redland) hospital to the current RDCOTA building," Mr Wiseman said.

"On moving here, we quickly became aware of the number of people 'just dropping in' for information or advice on all sorts of things concerned with the care of seniors."

Mr Wiseman said his research at the time had shown the complexity of information about seniors' issues, in particular aged care, often presented a challenge to older people.

"A major issue was about electronic information being unsuitable for seniors; from computers (and) accessing information on the Internet to automatic reply telephone systems that confuse most of us," he said.

"It was clear that many seniors just want someone who will give them the time so that they can explain in detail what their circumstances are.

Mr Wiseman said another issue for older people was telephone help lines.

"There are a range of them and many seniors are confused by such complexity and are not sure who to ring for what," he said.

The RDCOTA Seniors Information Plus service is open during RDCOTA office hours, 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.

To access the service, contact the RDCOTA office - 3488 0680 - to make an appointment.

SOURCE:    The Bayside Bulletin
________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

CCTV Captured Carer Stealing from Man, 71 (UK)

CCTV pictures captured carer stealing from man, 71, she was supposed to be helping

By Suzy Gibson And Adrian Troughton

A care worker stole cash from a 71-year-old man she was supposed to be helping.

The victim's son became suspicious when it became apparent money was sometimes missing after Maxine Singh had visited his father's Wigston home.

The pensioner kept the cash in the pockets of a jacket hanging on a door.

And when his son installed a covert camera focusing on the jacket, it captured footage of Singh rummaging through the pockets and taking money.

Tara Kelly, prosecuting at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, said the pensioner had a variety of health problems and at the end of 2009 engaged the assistance of carers, arranged through social services with private company, Home Call.

She said Singh – who has previous convictions for theft and fraud and received a suspended jail sentence in 1989 – was one of the carers who regularly visited.

The son estimated about £600 was unaccounted for, but Singh claimed in interview she had taken about £100. The 51-year-old grandmother was charged only with the thefts that were captured on the son's CCTV camera.

Footage of Singh rummaging through the pockets and taking cash was shown in court.

Abridged
SOURCE:    This is Leichestershire, UK
________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Seniors in Singapore Opt for Non-Legal Approach for Family Support (SINGAPORE)

3/22/2011

As Asian countries adopt more Western traditions, filial duties toward grandparents have begun to fall apart and families have become smaller, nuclear units. Consequently, many older adults are in need of assistance. Singapore has dealt with the problem with the Maintenance of Parents Act, which legally obligates children to help their parents during their golden years.

While it is possible to bring the matter of aid to court, it seems that many parents are opting for a less confrontational approach. ChannelNewsAsia.com reports that the number of conciliation cases between families has risen to 15 times the number of similar cases last year.

"We would like very much that these maintenance issues be resolved among family members, and the way to do that is conciliation," Khoo Oon Soo of the Office of the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents, told the news provider.

In fact, under new changes that were enacted this month, it is no longer possible to initially bring the issue up on legal grounds. The first step of every family will now be conciliation.

This is slowly becoming a senior citizen policy that other countries are looking to for inspiration - this year, China has drafted a legal amendment that requires children to provide both physical and mental care for their parents, according to the BBC.  

SOURCE:     AARPGLOBAL NETWORK
______________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Governor Strengthens Kentucky Laws to Protect Vulnerable Seniors (KY. USA)

Beshear strengthens Kentucky laws to protect vulnerable seniors

From the KPA News Content Service

 March 23, 2011

Gov. Steve Beshear Wednesday signed into law two bills aimed at better protecting adults and seniors from abuse and exploitation.

“Protecting vulnerable seniors from exploitation and abuse must be a priority for all of us, and it is a priority of mine,” Beshear said in a press release. “Today, with these new laws, we take a step forward in safeguarding our seniors.”

House Bill 52 prevents people who abuse or neglect vulnerable or elderly adults from benefiting from their deaths and bars people convicted of felony abuse or exploitation of an adult from serving as that victim’s guardian, executor or power of attorney. The measure also establishes a trust fund to provide funding for programs combating elder and vulnerable adult abuse.

House Bill 164 will make it easier and more efficient for adults and seniors needing a guardian when more than one state is involved.

The bills were part of Beshear’s larger “Safeguarding our Seniors” initiative to keep at-risk adults and the elderly safe and healthy.

“House Bill 52 closed a loophole in the current law and will prevent anyone who abuses or neglects an elderly person or vulnerable adult from benefiting financially from those actions,” Rep. Joni Jenkins of Shively said. She sponsored the legislation.

Beshear also repeated his commitment to include funding for an adult abuse registry in his 2012 budget proposal, even though the legislature did not create such a registry this session, according to a press release from the governor's office.

“We will keep working to establish an adult elder abuse registry for the Commonwealth,” Beshear said. “It’s the best way to identify perpetrators when adult or elder abuse has been substantiated, but doesn’t reach a criminal level, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Last year, Gov. Beshear ordered a multi-agency review —coordinated by CHFS — that resulted in a comprehensive report on the Protection of Nursing Home Residents. The cabinet has implemented many recommendations included in the report, and has revived the Elder Abuse Committee to continue the vital collaboration between agencies and stakeholders to enhance efforts to protect Kentucky’s seniors. The multi-agency review followed a Lexington Herald-Leader investigative series about nursing home abuses in Kentucky.

The state also joined the national Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation Prevention Program, in which states work with medical professionals to detect cases in which older Americans either are being scammed or are in danger of being ripped off by an investment con artist, the press release said.

SOURCE:    TimesLeader

________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

State Insurance Commissioner Attacks Fraud Against Elderly (USA)

Dave Jones attacks fraud against elderly

By Anita Creamer

Mar. 23, 2011

State insurance commissioner Dave Jones will be the keynote speaker at a national summit aimed at preventing the financial fraud of older people. The conference, scheduled in San Francisco on March 31, is sponsored by the Elder Financial Protection Network.

Other speakers include Philip Marshall, grandson of wealthy New York socialite Brooke Astor. Concerns over her care when she had Alzheimer's disease led to a widely publicized elder abuse prosecution.

Panels include discussions of financial abuse scams, as well as how baby boomers can protect their assets as they age.

The conference takes place at the Mission Bay Conference Center at UC San Francisco.

For more information, go to www.bewiseonline.org or call (415) 956-5556.

SOURCE:     SACBEE.COM
_______________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources